How Do Spiders Move?
WouterSpiders are quite the acrobats when it comes to locomotion. They can run, walk, swim and even balloon. In fact, it is a spider’s ability to create a balloon that can travel hundreds of miles without a single stop that led scientists to believe that spiders could achieve superhuman speeds.
When walking, a spider usually switches between four pairs of legs. Some species of spiders have matching legs on each side of the body. This is called a 4-3-2-1 pattern.
There are two main ways that spiders achieve this feat. The first is a combination of muscle contractions and hydraulics. The second involves a pressurized liquid that gets forced into the other pair of legs.
Spiders use a system of hydraulic pressure to extend their legs and move them around. The trick to this is to ensure that the pressure at the joint is directed in the right direction. That is the secret to spiders being able to do things like fly, twirl and twist.
Spiders have special hairs on their legs that stick to surfaces for traction. These claws can also help spiders grip surfaces when they are resting.
A spider’s heart, located in the abdomen, is one of the most powerful and efficient in the animal kingdom. It can pump up to ten times its weight in fluid and can churn out an impressive amount of power.
The spider’s heart is a specialized organ that is responsible for maintaining a steady flow of haemolymph. Like blood in vertebrates, this fluid helps spiders to expand their legs and extend.
